Wakefield in Tier 3: Additional rules around fitness, car boot sales, soft play areas and more confirmed by government

It was confirmed yesterday that Wakefield, along with the rest of West Yorkshire, will enter into Local Covid Alert Level: Very High, known as Tier 3, from Monday.

Wakefield Council leader Denise Jeffery said the decision had been made as the situation in Wakefield reached a "critical" point, and urged people to follow the rules closely.

West Yorkshire councils will receive funding of more than £59m to help them implement the new measures.

But it has now been confirmed that extra restrictions will be in place across West Yorkshire, on top of the national rules. As well as national guidance on closing pubs and bars, limiting meetings with people outside your household and making fewer journeys, people in Wakefield will also be subject to additional rules including the closure of casinos, betting shops and adult gaming centres.

Car boot sales will also be prohibited and soft play centres and areas will be forced to close.

Leisure and sporting facilities including gyms, swimming pools and dance studios can remain open, but it is "strongly advised" that group exercise classes such as dance and fitness classes should not take place.

The use of shared smoking equipment, such as shisha, in hospitality venues will be prohibited, though bars and restaurants which usually serve this equipment can stay open if they abide by general hospitality rules.

You can view full guidance on the new rules and restrictions here.

In West Yorkshire, infection rates are among the highest in the country and continue to rise rapidly. The weekly case rate stands at 441 people per 100,000 across the region, and is 337 per 100,000 in those over 60 rising to 597 per 100,000 in those aged 17 to 21 years old, as of 23 October.

The measures are limited to 28 days, after which they will be reviewed.